Charter Adds HBO Go, MAX Go; TWC, Cablevision Holding Out

After a three-month beta test, Charter
Communications last Thursday launched HBO’s “TV Everywhere”
services for customers who subscribe to HBO,
Cinemax or both — leaving Time Warner Cable and Cablevision
Systems as the last major providers not offering
HBO Go and MAX Go.

HBO Go and MAX Go provide unlimited online access
to each network’s programming via any broadbandconnected
computer in the U.S. as well as on the iPhone,
iPad and certain Android devices.

In late April, Charter launched a beta of the HBO TV
Everywhere services, sending e-mail invitations to a
small number of subscribers to participate in a test.

HBO Go provides access to more than 1,400 titles online,
including every episode of every season of HBO’s
shows, as well as the network’s films, miniseries, documentaries
and sports. MAX Go delivers more than 400 titles
of Cinemax programming online, including the MAX
After Dark series. Most new titles are available simultaneously
with their premieres on HBO and Cinemax.

Last month, HBO CEO Bill Nelson said the programmer
was “in negotiations with Time Warner Cable. I’m optimistic
that we will conclude in the next couple of weeks.” He
said HBO was not as far along with Cablevision.

The HBO Go and MAX Go services are designed as an
incentive to keep pay TV subscribers paying for HBO and
Cinemax services through their cable, satellite or telco
TV provider, rather than turning to an Internet-delivered
alternative such as Netflix.